Homeless advisory group wants to hire expert Marbut

Although homelessness expert Robert Marbut's visit here a couple of weeks ago was brief, his advice to “just get started” appears to have taken root.

The community seems committed to moving quickly on the issue — and took a step forward Wednesday when a group of more than 50 agency representatives, funders, government leaders and residents voted to hire Marbut to tackle homelessness here.

“This is the next step,” Rev. Tom Pfaff said at Wednesday's meeting. “Every community needs a fanny-kicker.”

Officials are waiting on a couple of formalities — some paperwork and a final recommendation — and will likely be able to sign off on an agreement with Marbut by the end of next week, Assistant County Administrator Lee Ann Lowery said.

Sarasota has struggled for years with how to address its large population of homeless people. There have been many run-ins between the homeless and law enforcement, as well as missed opportunities to connect people with needed services.

During Marbut's recent visit, he visited agencies and homeless camps, then offered suggestions and answered questions at two well-attended community forums. Marbut, who lives in San Antonio, Texas, marketed his experience on the thorny topic, including work with numerous Florida cities. Many of those cities have said he really does help get people off the streets.

After that visit, Pfaff toured the homeless shelter and service center Marbut helped create in Clearwater. He went with Sarasota City Commissioner Paul Caragiulo, County Commissioner Joe Barbetta, Public Defender Larry Eger and others.

Pfaff said they came away impressed and ready for action.

The need to do something fast was a theme at Wednesday's meeting of the newly formed Homeless Committee, where many people reiterated that Sarasota County has seen inaction and service gaps for too long.

“I've worked 28 years with the homeless, I say we have the problem — he has the solution,” homeless activist Ali Kleber said.

But it was not all rah-rah for Marbut. The most outspoken critics of his hiring are very close to the issue: members of the Salvation Army.

David Sutton, director of programs and facilities at the Salvation Army, called Marbut's expertise “unquestionable.” His input “substantial.” Then he voted against hiring him.

He did not support Marbut's suggestion that the community needs another shelter, and suggested that Sarasota can move forward and make changes without hiring him and paying his fees.

Many people, including City Manager Tom Barwin, said Marbut's consulting rates are very reasonable.

How they will be covered remains to be seen.

The county and City of Sarasota — who are the most affected by homelessness and driving forces for change — want neighboring municipalities to support Marbut's work, both philosophically and financially.

Last week Lowery sent an email to officials from Longboat Key, North Port, Venice, Sarasota and Sarasota County asking if the they were interested in bringing Marbut here soon. Lowery estimated that Marbut's four months of consulting work and travel expenses would cost the area $40,000.

Only Venice's city manger replied, saying the city commission would consider it this month.

Sarasota Deputy City Manager Marlon Brown said the city and county could supply the seed money to get things going, and the other municipalities could pick up additional costs.

Brown, who is among those leading the local government effort to bring Marbut here, said officials wanted the Homeless Committee, a subcommittee of the Community Alliance of Sarasota County, to say yes before they proceeded.

Many members of that subcommittee attended Wednesday's meeting, which Brown said was akin to a public hearing.

“To me that's just a first step in terms of moving forward and getting Dr. Marbut on board,” he said.

He wants the Community Alliance's executive committee to hold a special meeting in the next week and give a formal recommendation to the city manager and county administrator.

The officials can simply make an administrative decision on whether to hire him, Brown said.

Lowery said by the end of next week she anticipates the paperwork will be finished and the officials will be able to sign off on an agreement with Marbut.

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